Q&A with Pitt Blather

Here's a little something extra this week. I exchanged questions and answers with Chas of Pitt Blather, which he has been running independently since August, 2003 *applause*. His answers to my questions are below. My answers to his questions will be on his site tomorrow (or when he posts them).

1. What are two things the Hokies must do on Saturday in order to defeat the Panthers? (I hope that questions lends itself to two answers other than score more points.) You may also read this question as, what are Pitt's two biggest weaknesses?

On defense, they have to get pressure on the quarterback. Whether with a normal rush or a blitz. That is the big thing. If Savage is not getting time, he is not going to be able to get the ball downfield to Devin Street and Tyler Boyd. Pitt has had success running the ball, but the scoring and driving is keyed by Savage getting the ball a good 20 yards out to the receivers.

On offense, there are two possibilities -- or just do both and watch the chaos. The first is to let Logan Thomas run. Pitt struggles against mobile quarterbacks. I'm not talking triple-option, rarely throwing QBs. I mean the quarterbacks that can pass the ball but are also as likely to pull it down and run. Duke was really good at doing that.

The other thing, is to go no-huddle. Pitt likes to do a lot of substituting on defense. Rotating guys in and out. No-huddle throws that off. The defense gets shaky and discipline quickly evaporates. Even Virginia found some offensive success when they quickened the pace. (Of course, the Hoos pure incompetence on offense meant that they couldn't go no-huddle for more than 2-3 plays before they abruptly stopped and gave Pitt's defense a chance to regroup.)

2. Despite having almost half the rushing yards, junior Isaac Bennett (179 yards on 40 carries) is listed as the starter over freshman James Conner (353 yards on 62 carries). Why isn't Chryst leaning on Conner more? Do they have unique skillsets that Chryst uses in different situations? If you combined all of their positives and tossed their negatives, would that newly created player be better than Rushel Shell?

Who is the starter is semantics. Bennett still gets the starting nod on the depth chart, probably because Chryst really respects how he handled everything from last year, to becoming nearly the only back available in the spring, to quickly being supplanted by a freshman. And it isn't as if Bennett has been bad. It's just that Conner has been very good.

Both struggled with some injuries during training camp, so I think Chryst is also being cautious about how much of a load to put on either. Especially a freshman.

Then there is the simple fact that Bennett is more skilled as pass blocking. And Conner is a freshman still learning that. And trust me, Pitt needs to make sure there is help with blocking when Savage is passing.

As for better than Rushel Shell? Umm...

The homer in me wants to say yes without reservation. But for all the baggage, crap he brought on himself, and his questionable work ethic; Rushel Shell is a hell of a running back.

3. How do you feel about Tom Savage's play so far this year?

To this point, very pleased. He has steadily improved from the first game even through the slog that happened against Virginia. He throws one of the nicest deep balls, and that has been a welcome change after the QB who shall not be named of the past three years. He has not been as sharp on the shorter throws -- which has been part of the reason for the surprising lack of receptions for the tight ends.

He does make me nervous at times when he is back to pass simply because he has a tendency to hold the ball so long. And with Pitt's O-line -- well that contributed to why he ended up with a "mild" concussion in the Virginia game.

That concussion and the number of hits he took in the last game is why this game will have an extra element. When Savage was playing for Rutgers he took a righteous beating as a freshman and into his sophomore season -- and getting hurt and supplanted. That sophomore campaign was very shaky in no small part because he got skittish behind a sieve of an O-line. How Savage looks this weekend will be something to watch.

4. The Hokies have the ball with 8 minutes left in the fourth quarter, up by a score, and they're driving. Who's the defender that's going to make a momentum changing play?

Well, I'm going to assume, given the coaches at VT, that they aren't throwing unless they absolutely have to. So it has to be from the front seven. The obvious choice is senior DT Aaron Donald. Especially since he has a nice habit of getting into the backfield.

But in this case, I'm saying it's linebacker Todd Thomas who will blow up Logan Thomas on a run. Knocking the ball loose with the hit allowing Pitt to recover the ball.

5. Given Virginia Tech's recent, and not-so-recent struggles against the Panthers, you probably think Pitt will win. Would you confirm or deny this?

I WILL NOT CONFIRM THIS!

Last year when we exchanged thoughts, I was sure that Pitt could not beat the #13 team in the country -- oh, and congratulations on re-entering the top-25 for the first time since that game, very nice timing -- given all that was happening. This time there is hope, and I can certainly say that Pitt could win. But I can't say I think Pitt will win.

We are four games into Pitt's season and I still have no clue about this team. It's only their second road game, but really the first one that truly features a hostile, partisan crowd. Duke hardly counts, especially when the official attendance didn't even crack 23,000.

As much as I enjoy seeing Pitt in the head of the Hokies and their fans, only one of the four straight wins against VT was in Lane Stadium.